Clock striking mechanism



(No Model.)

W. BURGESS.

CLOCK STRIKING MECHANISM.

No. 352,180. Patented Nov. 9, 1-886.

Wi lncsscs:

N. PU'ERS. PhMo-Lillmgmphen Washington, D. (:Y

portions removed.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE XV. BURGESS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

CLOCK STRlKlNG MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.352,10, dated November 9, 1886,

Application filed May 26, 1886.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Buncnss, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Clock StrikingMechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide clock striking mechanism which will not require to be wound' up, but which shall be actuated by means of a common mainspring and connected timetrain gear mechanism; and it consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts constituting the striking mechanism, as hereinafter more fully described, and specifically set forth in the claims.

Figure 1 represents a .sectional elevation of a clock constructed with striking mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a similar view showing the same with some Fig. 3 represents an elevation of adetached portion. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent elevations of several detached )ortions Fi .4 re resentin a ortion drawn on an enlarged scale. i

A represents a clock movement of usual construction without the common striking mechanism heretofore employed, and requiring to be wound up in the same manner as the time-movement. To the axis B of the movement which carries the minute-hand I loosely connect the scrollcam E by means of a projecting pin, 0, which operates within a slot or opening, I), as shown in Fig. 6, and herein; after more fully described, and to the sleeve G upon the said axis B, which carries the hourhand, is permanently secured the cam or stepcam F. (Shown in Fig. 1.)

To the frame A of the movement is pivoted the hourstriking regulating'lever H, the inward end of which is bent at a right angle, so as to contact with that portion of the cam or step on the said cam F corresponding to the hour being struck upon the bell K, when the said striking-lever H is permitted to be carried or forced downward by means of the recoil of the coiled spiral spring J, one end of which is attached to the short outward end of the said pivoted lever H, and the other end to the top portion of the case of the clock, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2. An actuatinglever, L, is secured to the short end of the said Serial No. 203,344. No model.)

lever H and turns upon the same pivot, l, which extends through the plate of the said frame A horizontally, and the inward end portion of the said lever L is provided with a small friction-roll, N, which bears upon the edge of the said actuatingcam E, as shown in Fig. 2. The said lever L extends upwardl from, the said friction-roll N, and isprovided with a curved or segmental gear or rack, P, which engages with a small pinion, R, fitted loosely upon the axis of the escapement-wheel S, journaled between the upper ends of the supporting-arms T, the lower ends of which are secured to the frame of the movement A, or formed as a part thereof, as desired. To the inward face of the said pinion R is secured a small ratchet-wheel, U, fitted to turn upon the said axis of the escapementwheel S, which is provided with a pawl, V, held in contact with the teeth of the ratchet U by means of the spring \V, as shown in Fig. 4. There is pivoted between the upward ends of the support-arms Y a regulating escapement or pallet, Z, of usualconstruction, the opposite curved ends of which alternately engage with the teeth of the said escapement wheel S as the same is actuated or vibrated through the influence of the said coiled spiral spring J and connected mechanism above described. To the said vibrating escapement or pallet Z is secured the curved end of the horizontal arm or bar A, and the opposite vibrating end is loosely connected to the lower end of the vertical rod B, the upper end of which is connected to the crank-arm O, which is secured to the outward end of one of the supportingpivots D of the yoke-frame E, which supports the bell K, provided with a swinging hammer or tongue, F, pivoted within the interior top of the bell K, as shown. The said supporting-pivots D of the bell are formed with aknife or edge, which has a bearing within the openings formed in the upper ends of the vertical support-posts L, so as to permit the bell to swing with little friction, as shown in Fig. 7.

Now, it will be seen and understood that as the movement ro'tates,the scroll-cam E gradu ally acts upon the. friction-roll N, and thereby raises the hour-striking lever H and connected actuating-lever L from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 once in an hour, or once each hour. The spiral spring J is elongated, as shown in Fig. 2, and the curved rack-bar l? is raised or forced upward, carrying or rotating the pinion R and ratchetwheel U on the axis of the escapement-wheel S until the point of the scroll-cam Eis reached by the friction-roll N, which drops over the point instantly, as the cam E is free to move a short distance backward or slip on its axis 13 by means of the pin 0 and slot D, so as to leave the said roll N free and unobstructed to pass downward to the smallest part of the cam, or at such point thereon as corresponds with the edge of the hour step-cam F, against which the end of the hour-lever H comes in contact, thus arresting the further downward movement of the same. The downward movement of the lever L causes the curved rack-bar P to rotate the pinion R and ratchet U and escapement-wheel S, which are connected by the spring-pawl, and thereby cause the connect ing mechanism to swing the bell back and forth and permit its tongue to strike the same at each or every other movement of the same, so as to indicate the'hour by the requisite number of strokes thus made.

It will be seen and understood that the action of the scroll-cam E through the instrumentality of the contacting-lever acts upon the coiled spring so as to gradually increase its power-until the striking-point is reached,

when its recoil is sufficient to actuate the striking mechanism, as described. It is evident that similar mechanism is adapted to strike a bell, gong, or other ringing device by means of a vibrating or swinging hammer and stationary bell without departing from my in vention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. The combination,with a clock-movement, of a scroll-cam connected with the minute- 'hand axis, a step-cam connected with the hourhand axis, and a pivoted lever having a bearing upon; the said scroll-cam, and a pivoted stoplever having a bearing upon the stepeam, a spiral spring connected with the short ends of said levers and actuated by means thereof and an escapement and actuating mechanism, whereby thehou rs areindicated by ringing a bell, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the movement A, of the scroll-cam E, step-cam F, actuating-1ever L, having a curved rack, P, lever H, spring J, pinion R, ratchet U, pawl V, escapement S Z, arm A, rod 13, crank G, yoke-frame E, and swinging bell K, as described.

GEORGE \V. BURGESS.

Witnesses:

SYLvENUs WALKER, WILLIAM H. PARRY. 

